Atlas
12-01-2005, 02:32 PM
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (CNN) -- President Bush countered diminishing support for the U.S.-led Iraq war on Wednesday in a speech outlining what he believes must be accomplished before withdrawing any forces.
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/POLITICS/11/30/us.iraq/story.wed.bush.2.pool.jpg
The president did not satisfy critics who've called for a definitive timetable for troops to pull out, saying it would send the wrong message to terrorists and certain conditions must be met first.
"As Iraqi forces gain experience and the political process advances, we will be able to decrease our troop level in Iraq without losing our capability to defeat the terrorists," Bush said in his address before students at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He rejected calls by some members of Congress that U.S. forces withdraw immediately.
"Setting an artificial deadline to withdraw would vindicate the terrorist tactics of beheadings and suicide bombings and mass murder and invite new attacks on America," Bush said.
"To all who wear the uniform, I make you this pledge: America will not run in the face of car bombers and assassins so long as I am your commander-in-chief."
Rest of article : http://edition.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/30/us.iraq/index.html
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/POLITICS/11/30/us.iraq/story.wed.bush.2.pool.jpg
The president did not satisfy critics who've called for a definitive timetable for troops to pull out, saying it would send the wrong message to terrorists and certain conditions must be met first.
"As Iraqi forces gain experience and the political process advances, we will be able to decrease our troop level in Iraq without losing our capability to defeat the terrorists," Bush said in his address before students at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He rejected calls by some members of Congress that U.S. forces withdraw immediately.
"Setting an artificial deadline to withdraw would vindicate the terrorist tactics of beheadings and suicide bombings and mass murder and invite new attacks on America," Bush said.
"To all who wear the uniform, I make you this pledge: America will not run in the face of car bombers and assassins so long as I am your commander-in-chief."
Rest of article : http://edition.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/30/us.iraq/index.html